Taking health and safety precautions in the workplace is imperative. It protects you from illnesses and injuries that result in pain and suffering, or in worst-case scenarios, wrongful death. While it is the responsibility of the employer to keep workers safe, employees also play a significant role in assessing the situations and taking action to enhance their safety. In this post, we’ll provide 6 tips on how you can enhance your safety and stay healthy as you work.
1 – Familiarize yourself with the risks
The first step towards safety is understanding what you are up against. It is impossible to protect yourself from unknown risks. Therefore, carry out a risk assessment in your workplace to identify all the possible risks. Luckily, most companies train their employees on risk before commencing a job. If this is not the case, do not shy away from asking. Understanding the risks enables you to take protective measures against the hazards that can lead to fatalities.
2 – Personal protective equipment(s) will come in handy
Depending on the risks you are exposed to, try to find useful protective equipment or gear to enhance your safety. Some of the most common safety equipment include; face masks, safety boots, earmuffs, earplugs, and safety goggles. Using personal protective equipment reduces the risk of injury at workplaces and keeps you safe from health hazards.
3 – Learn how to properly use machines and equipment
Machines and use of equipment largely contribute to workplace injury and wrongful deaths. Before using any machine or equipment, ensure that you are trained adequately on how to use it. It would be best if you also observed all the necessary precautions, like ensuring the machine is not faulty before use. Learn to avoid shortcuts when operating a machine. Remember to stick to the manuals!
4 – Forward complaints and report concerns
Your employer has the responsibility of creating and maintaining a healthy and safe workplace. If you feel that your safety or health is violated, report it to management before it becomes a threat. With the increasing wrongful death legal cases, it is paramount that you hid to safety concerns in the workplace. You do not want to die due to negligence, wrongful act, or lack of action of someone else. If your loved one or fellow employees succumb due to safety and health negligence, try and educate their loved ones on wrongful death lawsuits and help them seek compensation for the wrongful death.
5 – Avoid work-related stress
Did you know stress results in depression, anxiety, and emotional imbalance? Ideally, when you are stressed, your concentration level decreases, making you highly susceptible to injuries and accidents in the workplace. Try to avoid common causes of stress like excess workloads, long working hours, and office conflicts. Always strive to seek intervention from the management on work-related stress in order to improve safety and health in your place of work
6 – You could use a break!
Working without breaks can lead to fatigue, which increases your risk of injury in the workplace. Think of it like this when you are tired, it is impossible to concentrate or stay alert on matters or work that needs you to be alert. This means you are prone to making mistakes that could cost your life. Additionally, burnout increases your risk for cardiovascular diseases, putting your health at risk. Learn to take breaks when necessary. It is not only good for your health but also helps you stay productive.
The most productive ways to take breaks at work
● Call your loved one-take your mind off work. You will come back focused and energized
● Have a healthy snack
● Use the exercise or break room if available
● Put your phone down, walk away from your computer and let your mind be still
Wrap up
Workplace health and safety measures reduce fatal accidents that might result in wrongful death. Take it upon yourself to observe health and safety measures put in place by your employer. Implement some of the tips to help improve your overall well-being.
